Yellow Jackets Headed to NCAA Division III Tournament.

SALEM, Va. --- Randolph-Macon College shot 55.6 percent from the floor for the game and had four players in double figures as the Yellow Jackets topped Randolph College, 68-43, in the 2011 Old Dominion Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Championship on Sunday afternoon in Salem, Va.

The WildCats (18-10) opened the game with a three-pointer from senior guard Caleb Pearson at the 19:46 mark, but the Yellow Jackets responded just 22 seconds later with a layup from senior forward Kevin Voelkel.  The game then saw four more lead changes until R-MC took control and used a 15-2 run over the final 5:39 of the first period to take a 35-20 lead heading into intermission.  

Randolph-Macon senior guard and 2011 All-Tournament Team selection Eric Pugh scored the first basket of the second stanza to extend its lead to 17 points (37-20).  However, the two teams remained scoreless over the next 3:24 until Randolph senior guard Tim Clarke went 2-of-2 at the charity stripe at the 16:03 mark to make it a 15-point game (37-22). R-MC responded with a 13-4 spurt, extending its lead to 24 points at 50-26 with 11:35 showing on the clock.

The Yellow Jackets pushed their advantage out to 25 points at 55-30 with 8:12 to go before Randolph caught fire.  The WildCats went on an 11-2 run over the next 3:40, pulling to within 16 at 57-41 following a three-pointer by Pearson.

Randolph-Macon regained control and returned the favor with an 11-1 stretch that covered the remaining 4:32 of the contest through the final horn.

The 2011 Most Outstanding Player and senior guard Jordan Brown paced four Yellow Jackets in double figures with 13 points and a team high six rebounds.  Pugh tallied 11 points, four rebounds and three steals, while senior forward Brandon Braxton and all-tournament team pick sophomore forward Lamar Giggetts chipped in 10 points each.

The WildCats were led by sophomore guard Colton Hunt’s 10 markers.  Junior forward Derrick Woods-Morrow and sophomore center Chris Battaglia registered eight points each.  Woods- Morrow also grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds.  Clarke chipped in six tallies.

The Yellow Jackets receive the league’s automatic bid into the NCAA Division III tournament and now will wait to see who they face in the first round.  Selection show is slated to begin at 1:00 p.m. on Monday.  For further information, visit www.ncaa.com  

2011 ODAC Men’s Basketball All-Tournament Team
Jordan Brown, MOP, R-MC
Eric Pugh, R-MC
Danny Jones, R-MC
Lamar Giggetts, R-MC
Colton Hunt, RAND